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 Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:27 am
For reasons known only to Leigh, today he had chosen to see what it was like to be animals he considered macho. Studly beasts. Powerful creatures. Strong male animals. Somehow, despite his physical maturity, he had yet to grow up, and still tended to fantisize about being what he wasn't. Faced with other stallions and their disapproval, he'd likely vow that he did no such thing... however, that didn't change his little colt urges to play.
At the moment, he was a bear. Not just any bear, a grizzly bear. He'd attempted to (for once!) muss up his lovely curly mane and imagine himself fuzzy and gruff. He held his head low, and spraddled his legs wide. His brows were lowered as well, and he let some of his mane straggle into his eyes. Why exactly he felt that particular detail necessary, even he couldn't have said. But it made him feel more feral and dangerous.
So it was that he was swaggering, legs splayed uncomfortably, stomping through the underbrush (Bears didn't use paths, did they? He imagined not.) and trying to growl. Of course, it only came out as a low and entirely too musical whicker. Bother, couldn't he do better than this? A bit dejected, he plopped his hindquarters on the ground in an attempt to look like a forlorn grizzly bear.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:10 am
He'd done a lot of things in his short life and there were only two of which he had regretted. The first had been succumbing to his own desires and in doing so he had become the type of stallion he loathed. However the second one was substantially worse than the first. Following his hiccup in which he had entered a pit of self loathing he had let his charge, his best friend, out of his sight and she had completely vanished. There had been no trace of her and he hadn't so much as heard a yelp but when he had gone to search for her again she was nowhere to be seen. Initially he had suspected that she had discovered what he'd done to her and with hatred in her heart she had run away...but then he had been reminded by his own sense of logic that she wasn't the sort.
The fact still remained though - where in the name of the gods had she disappeared to?
At first he had been reasonably calm, systematically drifting from place to place. Touching upon her favourite locations (just in case) but it was to no avail. It was only when he had exhausted all his options than the large ebony stallion had begun to panic and what was once rational became completely irrational. She hadn't even been gone that long but in the Kawani lands today a 'while' could spell complete disaster, especially for a mare who was so innocent as she.
He was worried.
Thus he had taken to the sky in the hopes of catching sight of her roaming the plains below. There were no sightings, he couldn't see the woods for the trees and so he had landed again. Wings huddled tight to his sides he had pushed his way into the forests in a now 'lost sheep-esque' manner. He had checked everywhere, save for the ridiculous idea of peering under rocks or sticking his head in the lake he was fairly certain she had completely vanished - but why?
His composure was not the most confident of images, far from appearing as strong as he truly was the stallion now walked in a slumped manner and mulled over the possibilities of being punished for his behaviour. He should have never touched her in that way (he knew that) but did that mean the spirits had to take her away! No, no it didn't and he would curse them to the day he died if they had stolen his friend in the same way they had taken his Grandfather's lover...
Alas no sooner had he entered the forest that his ears did swivel and he lifted his head just a bit. His brow furrowed as he detected the rather odd sound, he was fairly certain it wasn't a snarl, in fact it sounded more like a horse.
"...Numielle?" he murmured quietly, drifting in the direction of the sound without recalling that logic had informed him that the whicker wasn't girly enough. Nevertheless he was quickly reminded of this when he pushed his way through the bushes and came face to face with a soquili sat on it's rump - an adult soquili no less.
"What in the name of goodness are you doing?" he croaked, not entirely able to hold back his curiosity despite the situation. His expression might have been strained but he couldn't be distracted from that.
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Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:21 pm
Startled by the voice and sudden appearance of another stallion, Leigh leapt to his feet. Or would have leaped, if he hadn't gotten his hooves tangled in brush by sitting in this most undignified manner. Astonished and mortified to be found acting like such a silly colt, he jerked his fetlocks free of clinging vines and managed to get himself properly upright, staring at the other soquili with wide eyes, very much like a naughty foal caught with his nose in the sweet grass.
"I... uh... well...," he stammered, glancing left and right desperately for a way out of this predicatment. "I was... uh... tesing out this patch of... uh... green stuff for... uh... softness." The young stallion was wild-eyed and clearly inventing the reason he was sprawled in such a fashion.
Wracking his brain for a way to distract this newcomer from his embarassing moment, he seized on the only thing he could think of. "Who is Numielle?" That had been the name that had drifted on the breeze just before the ultimate shock for the both of them. Perhaps that would throw him off the track of his odd position while Leigh regained his composure.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:21 am
Penance was young but he wasn't stupid and the reaction that Leigh received was not one that the stallion could control. He had inherited a number of quirks from his father, one of which was a certain eyebrow quirk. No sooner had Leigh provided him with the ridiculous excuse than his brow had shot up - if there had been a 'ding' nearby it would have sounded the instance such a response occured. Nevertheless it wasn't long before the ebony stallion recovered and cleared his throat as he attempted to come up with a reasonable reply to the otherwise...odd excuse. After all, Penance had nothing against someone acting like a child if they wanted to but...
He wasn't granted further permission to dwell on such things though, no sooner had he accepted Leigh's ridiculous excuse than the magic words had been uttered. If Leigh had intended for it to be a distraction it had worked. The subject change was immediate and Penance's expression shifted from one of confusion to uncertainty and worse still - worry. His leather wings seemed to quiver at the mention of the mare's name, his ears drooped and his composure was more than of a pitiful foal than a grown male.
"N-numielle..." he murmured softly, lifting his glowing eyes to the stallion much more abruptly than before. His gaze narrowed and he darted towards Leigh to come mere inches from his nose. "It's vitally important! Have you seen a small white mare, scarlet hair and spikes on her tail?" he demanded. "She has four wings too and the bluest eyes - have you seen her?"
"It's really important that you tell me!"
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:50 pm
He blithely ignored the expression of skepticism on the other stallion's face, still tending to live by the childish notiion that if he didn't acknowledge it, it didn't have to exist. Being lunged at intensely, though, was impossible to ignore. He nearly sat back on his haunches again, leaning back and tucking his chin close to his chest, eyes wide. "A... white mare? Have you lost her?" His expression of innocent astonishment and worry was genuine to the core. Something was obviously wrong, and Leigh's soft, if foolish, heart was touched.
He eased off his haunches and took a breath, intently and purposefully searching his memory for a scarlet-maned mare with a white hide and black wings. A small wrinkle formed above each eye anxiously as he thought hard for several intent minutes.
Finally he gave a great sigh and shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry friend, I haven't seen a mare like that. Not ever!" He leaned forward then, eyes still wide. "She's special isn't she? Did someone steal her? Was it an evil kalona? Do you need help? I can help search!" His imagination whirled from one possibility to the next until he final declaration, head high and chest thrown out proudly.
"Never fear! I shall find her!" And without waiting for any further information or direction, Leigh spun on his haunches, reared impressively, if uncecessarily, and then plunged off into the foliage, neighing a challenging bugle, which quickly faded into silence. The young stallion was gone.
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:04 am
He wasn't entirely sure how he had lost her to begin with, he had only disappeared for a very short while and when he had returned she was gone. There had been no screams or squeals to denote that she had been attacked and when he had returned to find her there had been no signs of a struggle. It was as though she had simply vanished... At first he had assumed that the mare had wandered off in an attempt to find him but continuous calls and hours of scouring the lands nearby had dredged up no clues. No one had seen her or even so much as heard of her. His heart was broken and creatures seemed to revel in the opportunities they had to crush the pieces under paw and hoof.
Alright so that was a little dramatic but ths soquili was in a state of panic and as this encounter turned up even less clues he couldn't help but feel his mood plummet into further desperation. Nevertheless, while he didn't realise it Leigh had almost hit the nail on the head regarding his missing mare. Admittedly a Kalona had not been responsible for the theft but she had been abducted and while Penance was unaware of this right now, would be in need of assistance fairly soon. Ah, it was truly a wonder how the most innocent of creatures possessed the ability to be so accurate without realising it.
It all sounded like a fairy tale and yet it was true!
Nevertheless, before Penance even had the opportunity to reply to any of these enquiries the stallion had announced his intentions to provide aid, had struck a pose and bolted. There had been a moment of delay as Penance attempted to catch up with the stallion in his head, his expression blank and decidedly confused. Leigh had plunged off in a random direction and while it could have been funny in a less serious situation, Penance wasn't entirely sure if the other stallion was completely sane.
"I uh..." he cleared his throat and turned his head in the direction the stallion had run before sighing. Clearly Leigh was a tiny bit reckless and it was with a slump of his shoulders that Penance opted to pursue the other for at least a time just to make sure he didn't end up in trouble. That and there was the slim chance that Leigh would find her.
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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:47 am
Wisdom came with age, or so they said. Eloran had the years, and the wisdom was slowly coming. Today he was taking a long walk, well away from his secluded section of forest. It had occured to him of late that although he might have been driven by need, his move into solitariness might not have been the best choice. Granted, he was no social butterfly, but everyone needed someone. Zoet had been his comfort and his joy for some years, but she was a grown mare, and could hardly be expected to entertain her dear old dad forever.
Meditatively he paced along a deer path within the trees, the sun streaming through the trees and dappling his warm red hide. His life had swung from one end of the spectrum to the other. From happiness to pain, and now back to center again. it had taken an unbelievable amount of time, but the loss and betrayal had finally faded and become subdued enough that he felt ready to move on, ready to join the world again and dance the steps of life.
The time had come for him to forever leave his forest retreat.
Just as he was coming to this rather momentous conclusion, a blur of tan blew across the path ahead of him, the sound of hooves thudding on forest floor. He paused, long, strong legs poised in mild startlement. His ears swiveled as he sought for the reason for the rush of that unnamed soquili through thick forest, off the path. He peered after the disappearing form, frankly at a loss. The only thing he heard approaching and following that fleeing form was that of another soquili, but this one moving slower and steadier.
Intrigued despite himself, Eloran could not help choosing to wait for the other to appear. If nothing else, perhaps there was indeed a problem that require assistance. What kind of stallion would he be if he simply walked on without offering his own help? Ever patient and altruistic, he stayed where he was, where the path of the bolting soquili crossed the deer track. Time would tell what the story was behind this somewhat odd situation.
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:15 am
His pace had remained steady throughout his pursuit and he had been led by the ripples of thundering hooves upon the ground. The occasional smatter of hooves here and there on softer ground also helped. However the stallion was beginning to suspect that the eccentric runaway might very well keep on going forever - not necessarily in a straight line but with such energy... Needless to say, he was beginning to assume that Leigh was definitely a foal trapped in a stallion's body and as such he needed to be humoured or taught better. Frankly the mutant had no time to do this sort of thing but he did have time to follow him until he was sure that Leigh stood absolutely no chance of relocating Numielle. Well, it was better than wandering around aimlessly in one location right?
Not right.
...Even he wasn't thinking logically.
Unfortunately for him, the manner in which this entire situation looked appeared to be decidedly 'hostile'. He was walking at a relaxed pace, pursuing a stallion that appeared to be bolting for his life unless you saw his gallant expression. Penance hadn't truly dwelled on the consequences of this and as such, hadn't quite grasped that his appearance wouldn't work in his father. For all intents and purposes he was a Kalona to the lowland soquili - he had the fangs and the wings, the only thing he lacked were the horns. Sure, his expression was amiable and much more approachable than most but given their cunning natures it would probably be regarded with suspicion anyway.
It was with this lack of awareness that he continued to pursue the eccentric stallion, placing one hoof in front of the other as he kept his ears perked for further signs of life. It was a little bit irking to admit that said thundering hooves did block out much of the softer sounds but he could pick up on others. Apparently he hadn't picked up on the other stallion though and as he rounded the corner, his glowing gaze did lock on to Eloran briefly in recognition though that didn't mean he was going to cease in his 'chase'...
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:55 pm
It wasn't long before a rather intimidating vision came striding along the path. His body language was reasonably calm and steady, though the body itself spoke very nearly the opposite story. Leathery wings arched, a black hide gleamed. Eloran stood firm, gazing thoughtfully at this newcomer. Now, it was possible that this had been what stirred the other to flee as he was. Admittedly, it did seem that this one of kalona blood was determinedly following the first.
However, small clues and subtle hints kept the bay stallion from drawing any such conclusions. Firstly, there was his pace. It did not speak of haste, nor of ill intent. Also there was his expression, which was significantly lacking in the aggression department. Still thoughtfully mulling this information, Eloran merely stood where he was at the intersection of paths, swishing his tail against his hocks.
He wasn't a terribly curious stallion, but he did wish to find out what the deal was. When the other was near enough for politeness, he whuffled a low greeting. "Good day to you."
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:27 am
Despite the addressal by the other stallion, Penance continued to walk for a short while longer until the rumbling beneath his hooves had all but faded. His ears gave a twitch and glowing eyes flickered towards the ground as it became apparent that he had 'lost' his prey. The only manner to track Leigh now would be to take to the skies and even this had it's problems. For a start the stallion may not emerge from the forest and visibility above the canopy was slim to none. It was a complex situation and it was with a certain amount of resentment that Penance could do nothing more than cease in his search. Consequently he came to a halt a short distance from the stallion and continued to look beyond his 'vision' for a little while longer. He hadn't even covered that much ground but there had been no sign of her, not even the hint of a scent.
It was frustrating.
Nevertheless he had his manners and not long after he had come to rest, he turned his gaze towards the stallion. Eloran had remained quiet for a considerable amount of time, had stared at him and assessed him. Whatever judgement might have been passed had warranted at least a greeting and for that reason alone, Penance could not remain silent. It was rude to deliberately ignore another despite the concerns he might have had - his parents would have clouted him if he'd been of such foul behaviour.
"Afternoon," he replied quietly, ruffling his wings against his sides to encourage them to loosen up. He was simply too tense and his muscles were beginning to ache long before their time. Really his father had not been kidding when he warned that mares would be the bane and blessing of his existence - he already had grey hair because of it! Well...technically he'd had grey/white hair since birth but that was beside the point. He would declare it was a sign FROM birth if he had to.
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:30 pm
Eloran turned his gaze after the path of ruined vegitation that signified where the galloping stallion had gone, then pivoted his face back towards the newcomer. He clared his throat meditatively and spoke mildly. "Pardon me, but... might you know what caused that young buck to go barreling past me as if his tail were on fire?"
His expression was calm and unaggressive, his eyes curious. Admittedly, he was being careful to not insult or otherwise offend the rather bristly looking male, but neither was he intimidated or frightened. For all he knew, the fleeing chestnut deserved this one's wrath. Intent examination didn't reveal any great ire, however, though something indeed was disturbing this other stallion.
Introductions might have to wait. Something was up and might need tending to first, whether it involved the headlong flight of the first one to pass by or not.
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:09 am
What had caused the other stallion to bolt off...?
Penance suspected that it had been his words, the prospect of being able to play hero and more importantly...the child-like demeanour of the stallion he had since lost track off. There were multiple answers to Eloran's question and as a consequence the black male remained silent as though considering the most appropriate. It hadn't been his appearance despite what some soquili might have originally suspected but he had no reason to dispute this. Eloran had yet to make reference to his appearance and connect it to the other soquili and as a result neither did Penance.
"It is a combination of many things," he mused at last and rolled his shoulders in an equine shrug. "He desires to play a hero, though he remains oblivious to the nature of the tale," he smiled wrily. It was amusing in that regard and he supposed he had provided a public service in giving Leigh something to do. For a short while the child-like stallion would probably be occupied with searching in all the wrong places for Numielle. In that time he wouldn't provoke the wrath of the unwelcoming and would maybe, just maybe he might be able to alert other individuals to her absence.
A little help went a long way.
"He embraces a fairytale close to his heart and aspires to be it's Prince - that is the best way I can explain it to you."
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Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:07 pm
Eloran absorbed this thoughtfully, swishing his tail and cocking one hip. This seemed rather an unusual circumstance to him, but how much more so it must seem to this other, who he surmised must be involved in whatever this 'tale' was. For a few moments he debated simply moving on and leaving the situation be. However, there was an undercurrent. If a hero was needed, that meant the tale was probably in need of one.
Oh, the bay stallion didn't fancy himself the solution, no fear of that. However, that didn't mean he couldn't provide some assistance. He cleared his throught meditatively before speaking. "Pardon the intrusion, but what might that tale be, exactly? Clearly it needs some sort of hero, and was enough to stir that young buck into flights of fancy and feet." He smiled a bit ruefully at his own semi-pun. "Perhaps I could be of some help? I know it's not much, coming from a stranger, but you never know until you ask." He swiveled his ears towards the trail of torn up vegitation. "I can assure you that I at least will not pelt off impulsively."
He couldn't help himself. He chortled soft and low, shaking his head at the image of some young headstrong stud getting some hairbrained idea in his head and bolting off to some unknown good deed, without stopping to ask for directions or details. Outright smiling warmly now, he shifted his weight to stand firmly before the dark-pelted stranger. "I am Eloran, by the way. A pleasure to meet you, in spite of the rather odd circumstances." The echo of a smile still lingered in his features as he waited to hear the story that had sent the other stallion off like a rocket.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:59 am
The very idea that Leigh might steal his limelight would probably have caused Penance to pitch a fit had he been aware of it. If there was to be a knight-in-shining-armour for this tale then it would be him! It was not a matter that was up for debate given that it had been his sweetheart that had vanished, to have another swoop in and steal her heart would have infuriated him. Granted, it probably calmed him somewhat to know by instinct alone that Leigh was clueless regarding such things but this other stallion wasn't quite the same. There was wisdom in his eyes and the eerie calmness he maintained despite what had occured mere moments ago reminded the younger male of his own parents.
Perhaps Penance was just being paranoid in suspecting the stallion, one with airs such as his were often more concerned with illeviating a situation than making it worse - right? He could distinctly recall the times when his father had pried into his life to find out the truth behind matters, he had never run off to help his son but had merely provided advice. Hell, very few stallions were like his own father but... Both parents and grandparent had always told him to follow his instincts and in the depths of his mind, such things were encouraging him to take the chance.
After all, he did require leads to find her.
He released a soft sigh, his shoulders slumping heavily as he adjusted his weight from one hoof to the other. Head cocked to the side, he paused for a considerable length of time before at last opening his mouth. "They call me, Penance," he uttered first, a disgruntled introduction that did nothing to compliment Eloran's much gentler and warm approach. However, after another pause his gaze did soften lightly and he chewed on his cheek as though torn about the best way in which to address the true problem he faced.
"He heard of a missing Princess, one who vanished without a trace in the morning. With no clues to her whereabouts he announced he would find her and bolted off... " he snorted softly to surpress a small chuckle, "So reckless, nyah?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:50 pm
The bay stallion watches as emotions swirled beneath the calm surface of Penance's expression. He more sensed them than saw them, but they were undoubtedly there. Still, he admired the staid and steady way the other stallion was handling it. He considered his words thoughtfully, nodding in agreement almost absently at the comment of the foolishness of the thoughtlessly charging stallion that had passed him earlier.
"I take it this is your princess," he inquired quietly. "But you say she vanished without a trace?" He rumbled softly in his chest, a curious but puzzled sound. "Are you certain she is in trouble? Logically, that sounds like she merely went for a long stroll." His tone wasn't mocking or challenging. Instead it was a mild suggestion amidst much mulling. There had to be a sensible answer, for soquili did not simply vanish without a trace. Something had to indicate what had happened, or a reason for the disappearance. "Perhaps you could use some assistance, looking for signs of her passing?" Ears pricked, Eloran blew softly through his nostrils in sincerity. What use was it to be in this world if he did not offer help when he could? it would mean he'd be just as without help himself when he needed it, which made it all the more worth offering.
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